Despite a lukewarm response when Cuomo unveiled the plan last week, Silver last week discreetly submitted the proposal to the Assembly's government operations committee.
His aides sought to beef up support yesterday by asking various assemblymen to sign on as co-sponsors.
The move comes in advance of a planned Tuesday trip to the Capitol by former Mayor Ed Koch, who has led a reform effort and will call on lawmakers to approve an independent redistricting commission.
Silver was heavily criticized during the campaign for not signing onto Koch's pledge to support an independent group to redraw political districts.
"[Silver] realizes there are certain political realities and he may be thinking if we get the (GOP-controlled) Senate to do it, then we'll do it together," said an Assembly member who did not wish to be identified. "He may be trying to box them in."
Regardless of whether Shelly's motive is to earn goodwill from Cuomo or fend off a progressive primary challenge next year, this is a good thing. Credit where credit is due.
